Protective effect of tetramethylpyrazine isolated from Ligusticum chuanxiong on nephropathy in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of tetramethylpyrazine isolated from Ligusticum chuanxiong, a traditional Chinese medicine, on diabetic nephropathy in a rat model, and to explore the possible mechanism involved in a protective function.

Materials

Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 70 mg/kg of streptozotocin. One week later, 200 mg/kg/day of tetramethylpyrazine was administered intragastric gavage daily for 8 weeks. Renal functions and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor were examined at 4 and 8 weeks after tetramethylpyrazine administration.

Results

Blood glucose and renal function were significantly improved in the tetramethylpyrazine-treated group compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Diabetic nephropathy resulted in an increase in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, while tetramethylpyrazine administration greatly decreased the expression.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that administration of tetramethylpyrazine may reduce kidney damage caused by diabetes. This protective effect may be mediated, in part, by downregulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the kidney.     

Regulatory T cells (CD4CD25FoxP3) expansion in systemic sclerosis correlates with disease activity and severity

Background

The role and function of T regulatory (Treg) cells have not been fully investigated in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Ten patients with SSc donated 20 ml of peripheral blood. Activity (Valentini) and severity (Medsger) scores for SSc were calculated for all patients. Healthy volunteers (controls) were matched to each patient by gender and age. CD4⁺ cells were separated using the MACS system. The numbers of Treg cells were estimated by flow cytometry after staining for CD4, CD25, and FoxP3 and calculated as patient-to-control ratio separately for each experiment. Correlations with activity and severity indices of the disease were performed. Twenty-four-hour production of TGF-β and IL-10 by activated CD4⁺ cells was measured by ELISA in culture supernatants.

Results

The numbers of Treg cells, expressed as patient-to-control ratio, correlated significantly with both activity and severity indices (r = 0.71, p = 0.034 and r = 0.67, p = 0.044, respectively). ELISA-measured production of TGF-β and IL-10 by CD4⁺ cells was similar in patients and controls.

Conclusions

Increased numbers of Treg cells are present in patients with SSc, correlating with activity and severity of the disease. This expansion of Treg cells was not accompanied, however, by heightened TGF-β or IL-10 production. Further studies to elaborate the causes and functional significance of Treg cell expansion in SSc are needed.     

Evaluation of nitrate reduction assay, resazurin microtiter assay and microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay for first line antitubercular drug susceptibility testing of clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis

Background

Drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a growing concern worldwide. Early detection of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is of primary importance for both patient management and infection control. Optimal method for identifying drug-resistant M. tuberculosis in a timely and affordable way in resource-limited settings is not yet available.

Aim

This study evaluated; nitrate reductase assay (NRA), resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) and microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay (MODS) against the conventional 1% proportion method (PM) for the detection of resistance to first line antitubercular drugs, in M. tuberculosis clinical isolates.

Methods

A total of one hundred and five clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis; 50 pan sensitive and 55 pan resistant were tested with NRA, REMA and MODS. The 1% proportion method on Lowenstein-Jensen medium was used as reference test.

Results

Of all three methods which were tested NRA was found to be most sensitive and specific. Sensitivity for rifampicin resistance detection was 100%, 94.55% and 92.73% by NRA, REMA and MODS respectively. NRA and REMA were found to be 100% specific, while the MODS was 98% specific for detection of rifampicin resistance. Test results with all these methods were obtained within 8-14 days.

Conclusion

Rapid non-conventional and inexpensive methods may serve as a replacement for 1% proportion method in resource limited settings.     

Protective effects of allopurinol against acute liver damage and cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride: Modulation of NF-κB, cytokine production and oxidative stress

Background

The aim of this work was to evaluate the hepatoprotective ability of allopurinol to prevent the liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄).

Methods

Acute liver damage was induced with CCl₄ (4 g/kg, by gavage); allopurinol (50 mg/kg, by gavage) was given 1 h before and 1 h after CCl₄ intoxication and two daily doses for the previous three days. Cirrhosis was established by CCl₄ administration (0.4 g/kg, i. p. three times a week, eight weeks); allopurinol was administered (100 mg/kg, by gavage, daily) during the long-term of CCl₄ treatment. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP), xanthine oxidase (XO), lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH, GSSG, respectively), hydroxyproline and histopathologycal analysis were performed. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) were analyzed by Western blots.

Results

Acute injury increased ALT and γ-GTP activities, additionally enhanced NF-κB nuclear translocation and cytokines production such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukine-1β, and interleukine-6. Allopurinol partially prevented these effects, while increased interleukine-10. Acute and chronic CCl₄ treatments altered the levels of XO activity, lipid peroxidation, and GSH/GSSG ratio, while these remained within normal range with allopurinol administration. Necrosis, fibrosis and TGF-β production induced in chronic injury were partially prevented by allopurinol, interestingly, this drug induced MMP-13 activity.

Conclusions

Allopurinol possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties, probably by its capacity to reduce NF-κB nuclear translocation and TGF-β expression, as well as to induce MMP-13.General significanceAllopurinol might be effective treatment of liver diseases.     

Évaluation de méthodes automatiques de segmentation des volumes tumoraux en tomographie par émission de positons par comparaison avec des contours manuels réalisés par un groupe d’experts

Objective

Set up a framework for evaluating automatic segmentation methods of tumour volumes on PET images.

Patient and methods

This study was performed with PET images of 18 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. One target lesion per patient was pointed out. Each lesion was then three times manually delineated by five experts. Four automatic methods (the application of a threshold of 42% of the maximum SUV, the MIP-based method, the Daisne et al. method and the Nestle et al. method) were evaluated by comparison with the set of manual delineations.

Results

From the manual delineations, we have concluded to a moderate intra-operator variability and to a reduced interoperator reproducibility. From statistical tests performed on various quantitative criteria, there was no significant difference between the MIP-based method, the Daisne et al. method and the Nestle et al. one. The application of a threshold of 42% of the maximum SUV appears to be less efficient.

Conclusion

This work proposes a comparison and an evaluation protocol for segmentation methods. The generated data set will be distributed online for the community to simplify the evaluation of any new method of segmentation.     

Effects of WY-14,643 on the phosphorylation and activation of AMP-dependent protein kinase

Background

AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α facilitate fatty acid oxidation. We have shown that treatment of hepatoma cells with ethanol or feeding ethanol-containing diets to mice inhibited both PPARα and AMPK activity. Importantly, WY-14,643 reversed the development of fatty liver in alcohol-fed mice. Whether WY-14,643, a PPARα agonist, has any effects on AMPK is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of WY-14,643 on AMPK activity.

Methods

The effect of WY-14,643 on AMPK phosphorylation and activity were examined in rat hepatoma cells (H4IIEC3). The effect of WY-14,643 on upstream kinases of AMPK, PKC-ζ/LKB1, intracellular AMP:ATP ratio, oxidative stress, and AMPK gene expression were studied.

Results

Treatment of the H4IIEC3 cells with WY-14,643 for 24 h led to 60% increase in the phosphorylation of AMPK. The effect of WY-14,643 on AMPK phosphorylation is PKC-ζ/LKB1 independent. WY-14,643 did not alter the levels of intracellular AMP:ATP ratio and it did not increase the levels of reactive oxygen species at 24-h of treatment. WY-14,643-induced AMPK α subunit expression by 2- to 2.5-fold, but there was no change in AMPKα subunit protein at 24 h. The effect of WY-14,643 on AMPK phosphorylation did not altered by the presence of an NADPH oxidase inhibitor.

Conclusions

WY-14,643 induced AMPKα subunit phosphorylation and the activity of the enzyme. This was associated with induction of AMPKα1 and α2 mRNA, but the mechanism for this activation is uncertain.     

Association of TNF-α promoter gene G-308A polymorphism with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, serum TNF-α and leptin levels in Indian adult women

Background

Tumour necrosis factor alpha is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and obesity. Aim of this study is to investigate in a North Indian female population the impact of the G-308A TNF-α variant on various components of the metabolic syndrome, Insulin Resistance, serum TNF-α and Leptin levels.

Methods

The G-308A TNF-α polymorphism has been studied in 269 females with metabolic syndrome (NCEP ATP III criteria) (age 31.91 ± 6.05) and 272 healthy females without metabolic syndrome (age 30.96 ± 7.01). The G-308A variant was detected by PCR amplification and Nco-1 digestion.

Results

Homozygous mutant genotype (AA) (p = <0.001: OR = 3.24: 95% CI = 2.15-4.89) and mutant allele (A) (p = <0.001: OR = 3.04: 95% CI = 2.08-4.43) of TNF-α was significantly less frequently observed in the control population as compared to study group. Furthermore, on dividing the subjects into two groups according to the absence (TNF-1 allele) or presence of the mutant A (TNF-2) allele, significant results were obtained in most of the metabolic risk factors.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the G-308A polymorphism of the TNF-α gene may be independently associated with hypertension, leptin level and hypercholesterolemia leading to metabolic syndrome independent of Insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.     

Detection of multiple cytokines in the urine of patients with focal necrotising glomerulonephritis may predict short and long term outcome of renal function

Background

Detection of urinary cytokines in pauci-immune focal segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis (FSNGN) may provide valuable information about disease pathogenesis and prognosis.

Methods

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by ELISA, and Interleukins, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP1β) by a multiplex cytokine assay, in 38 patients with FSNGN. Their levels were correlated with severity of histological findings and renal function outcome in short and long term.

Results

The percentage of crescents in renal biopsy had positive correlation with TGF-β1 (p = 0.004) and IL-15 urinary excretion (p = 0.01), and negative correlation with EGF (p = 0.01). Increased urinary excretion of IL-6, IL-15, VEGF and MIP-1β was associated with poor renal function outcome, but increased levels of EGF, IL-2 and IL-9 predicted a favourable prognosis. In multiple regression analysis IL-6 and VEGF urinary levels were independent predictors of no-response at the acute phase (p = 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively), while, IL-6 was the only factor (p = 0.03) predicted worse outcome at the end of follow-up (39.4 ± 45 months).

Conclusion

Increased urinary excretion of IL-6, IL-15, VEGF, TGF-β1, MCP-1 and MIP-1β and reduced EGF, IL-2, IL-9 may be associated with histological damage and influence response to treatment in pauci-immune FSNGN.     

False positive rate in newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)-ether extraction reveals two distinct reasons for elevated 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) values

Background

While the sensitivity of newborn screening for the salt wasting form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is good, the positive predictive value is poor due to the high false positive rate of the immunological assays for 17-OHP. Cross-reactivity with steroid sulfates is one of the main causes for false positive results. Several approaches have been described to improve CAH screening: adjusting cut-off levels to gestational age or birth weight, and second-tier molecular genetic analysis or second-tier liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (TMS).

Methods

17-OHP was extracted with diethyl ether from dried blood spots in order to separate 17-OHP from polar steroids (like steroid sulfates). The dried ether extracts of calibrators, controls, and patient samples were redissolved and measured with the 17-OHP test kit (Wallac).

Results

760 normal, 1049 false positive, and 232 samples of confirmed cases with CAH were analysed. Mean 17-OHP values were significantly lower after extraction: Normal samples: 17.5 nmol/L vs. 3.2 nmol/L; false positive samples: 97.0 nmol/L vs. 25.9 nmol/L; CAH: 275 nmol/L vs. 205 nmol/L. With a cut-off value of 11.9 nmol/L (mean + 3 SD of the normal values), 404 of the false positives turned out to be normal. Ether extraction revealed two distinct subgroups of initially false positives rather than a continuum with normal distribution of 17-OHP values.

Conclusion

Diethyl ether extraction provided evidence for two causes of false positive results in CAH screening. It reduced the rate of false positives by about 40% without loss of sensitivity.     

The Amazonian herbal Marapuama attenuates cognitive impairment and neuroglial degeneration in a mouse Alzheimer model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is expected to affect more than 22 million people worldwide by 2025, causing devastating suffering and enormous costs to families and society. AD is a multifactorial disease, with a complex pathological mosaic. In rodents, AD-like dementia can be induced by cerebral microinjection of Aβ peptide, leading to amyloid deposits, amnesia and various features of neurodegeneration. Marapuama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is regarded as a “brain tonic” in the Amazon region and shows a nootropic profile in rodents.

Aim of the study

Because a specific extract (POEE) of Marapuama was shown to possess promnesic and anti-amnesic properties, the aim of this study was to verify if POEE is also effective against Aβ_1-42-induced cognitive deficit in mice. Additionally, Aβ deposits (Congo red), GFAP immunoreactivity (immunohistochemistry), and neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampal pyramidal layer (Nissl) were examined as measures of Aβ_1-42-induced neurodegeneration.

Materials and methods

CF1 mice were subjected to the experimental Alzheimer model with the Aβ_1-42 i.c.v. administration. The effects of POEE 800 mg/kg were evaluated over 14 consecutive days of treatment.

Results

The data show that 14 days of oral treatment with POEE (800 mg/kg) was effective in preventing Aβ-induced cognitive impairment, without altering the levels of BDNF and with parallel reductions in Aβ deposits and astrogliosis. CA1 hippocampus loss induced by Aβ_1-42 was also diminished in POEE-treated mice.

Conclusion

This study offers evidence of functional and neuroprotective effects of two weeks treatment with a Ptychopetalum olacoides extract against Aβ peptide-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Given the multifactorial nature of neurodegeneration, the considerable potential for an AChE inhibitor displaying associated neuroprotective properties such as here reported warrants further clinic evaluation.     

Evaluación de un programa de intervención en residencias geriátricas para reducir la frecuentación hospitalaria

Objectives

This study describes the outcomes of an intervention program in Nursing Homes and their effects on emergency room attendance, hospital admissions, and pharmaceutical expenditure.

Material and methods

This involved non-randomised community intervention in Nursing Homes with a control group. The program was implemented gradually from 2007 to 2009 in 10 Nursing Homes (857 beds) which participated voluntarily. The control group consisted of 14 Nursing homes (1,200 beds), which refused to participate or were not assigned to our Primary Care centres. Intervention consisted of comprehensive geriatric assessment and follow-up visits by trained personnel, review and adjustment of drug treatment, case management and staff training.

Results

In the Nursing Homes where the program was carried out, emergency room attendance decreased from 1165‰ (95%CI 1100-1240]) in 2006 to 674‰ (95%CI 620-730) in 2009, while in the control group it increased from 1071 (95%CI 1020-1130) to 1246‰ (95%CI 1190-1310). The hospital admissions also decreased from 48.4% (95%CI 45-52) in 2006 to 32.1% (95%CI 29-35) in 2009, while in the control group increased from 43.5% (95%CI 41-46) to 55.8% (95%CI 53-59). There was also a 9% reduction in pharmacy cost compared with an increase of 11.9% in the control group.

Conclusions

The intervention has proved effective at reducing hospital admissions and emergency room attendance in institutionalised patients, thereby streamlining pharmacy costs.     

Localization of the Sodium-Taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide in membrane rafts and modulation of its activity by cholesterol in vitro

Background

The relevance of discrete localization of hepatobiliary transporters in specific membrane microdomains is not well known.

Aim

To determine whether the Na⁺/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), the main hepatic sinusoidal bile salt transporter, is localized in specific membrane microdomains.

Methods

Presence of Ntcp in membrane rafts obtained from mouse liver was studied by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. HEK-293 cells stably transfected with rat Ntcp were used for in vitro studies. Expression, localization and function of Ntcp in these cells were assessed by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and biotinylation studies and Na⁺-dependent taurocholate uptake assays, respectively. The effect of cholesterol depletion/repletion assays on Ntcp function was also investigated.

Results

Ntcp localized primarily to membrane rafts in in vivo studies and localized partially in membrane rafts in transfected HEK-293 cells. In these cells, membrane cholesterol depletion resulted in a shift of Ntcp localization into non-membrane rafts, which correlated with a 2.5-fold increase in taurocholate transport. Cholesterol repletion shifted back part of Ntcp into membrane rafts, and normalized taurocholate transport to values similar to control cells.

Conclusion

Ntcp localizes in membrane rafts and its localization and function are regulated by membrane cholesterol content. This may serve as a novel regulatory mechanism of bile salt transport in liver.     

Prenatal diagnosis of partial trisomy 3q resulting from t(3;14) in a fetus with multiple anomalies including vermian hypoplasia

Context

Myostatin (MSTN) is a member of the TGF-β superfamily of signal transduction proteins, which plays an important role in muscular growth and lipid metabolism.

Objective

To study the association of myostatin gene polymorphisms with obesity in Chinese north Han human subjects.

Design

297 healthy and 606 over-weight/obesity Chinese north Han subjects were selected as healthy control group and overweight/obesity group, respectively. The methods of DNA Sequencing, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and TaqMan® probe were used to screen myostatin gene SNPs and clarify genotype in every individual.

Results

Total 11 SNPs in MSTN gene were identified by DNA sequencing and three SNPs including rs35781413 (G/A), rs3791783 (A/G) and rs3791782 (A/G) were selected for further study in total 903 samples. The results showed that the frequency of AA genotype of rs3791783 A/G SNP was significantly higher (56.4% vs. 50.8%) and the frequency GG genotype was significantly lower (3.2% vs. 6.7%) in overweight/obese patients than in normal weight subjects. A logistic regression analysis under a recessive inheritance model (AA + AG vs.GG) demonstrated that the Odd ratio for AA + AG vs.GG were 1.985 (95% CI 1.078-3.643; P = 0.029). Among three genotypes of rs3791783, the subjects with AA genotype have much more higher body weight, BMI, waist circumference, TC, TG and LDL-C than those with GG genotype.

Conclusions

Our data firstly suggest that genetic variant rs3791783 A/G in myostatin gene are associated with obesity. The A allele carriers in rs3791783 SNP have an increased susceptibility to obesity compared with the G allele carriers. Participants with AA genotype in rs3791783 SNP site will have higher risk suffered from overweight or obesity than those with GG genotype.     

A comparison of the LDL-cholesterol lowering efficacy of plant stanols and plant sterols over a continuous dose range: results of a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials

Purpose

To determine if plant stanols and plant sterols differ with respect to their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH) lowering efficacies across a continuous dose range.

Methods

Dose-response relationships were evaluated separately for plant stanols and plant sterols and reductions in LDL-CH, using a first-order elimination function.

Results

Altogether, 113 publications and 1 unpublished study report (representing 182 strata) complied with the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the assessment. The maximal LDL-CH reductions for plant stanols (16.4%) and plant stanol ester (17.1%) were significantly greater than the maximal LDL-CH reductions for plant sterols (8.3%) and plant sterol ester (8.4%). These findings persisted in several additional analyses.

Discussion and conclusions

Intakes of plant stanols in excess of the recommended 2 g/day dose are associated with additional and dose-dependent reductions in LDL-CH, possibly resulting in further reductions in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).     

Cell-to-cell communication and cellular environment alter the somatostatin status of delta cells

Introduction

Somatostatin, released from pancreatic delta cells, is a potent paracrine inhibitor of insulin and glucagon secretion. Islet cellular interactions and glucose homeostasis are essential to maintain normal patterns of insulin secretion. However, the importance of cell-to-cell communication and cellular environment in the regulation of somatostatin release remains unclear.

Methods

This study employed the somatostatin-secreting TGP52 cell line maintained in DMEM:F12 (17.5 mM glucose) or DMEM (25 mM glucose) culture media. The effect of pseudoislet formation and culture medium on somatostatin content and release in response to a variety of stimuli was measured by somatostatin EIA. In addition, the effect of pseudoislet formation on cellular viability (MTT and LDH assays) and proliferation (BrdU ELISA) was determined.

Results

TGP52 cells readily formed pseudoislets and showed enhanced functionality in three-dimensional form with increased E-cadherin expression irrespective of the culture environment used. However, culture in DMEM decreased cellular somatostatin content (P < 0.01) and increased somatostatin secretion in response to a variety of stimuli including arginine, calcium and PMA (P < 0.001) when compared with cells grown in DMEM:F12. Configuration of TGP52 cells as pseudoislets reduced the proliferative rate and increased cellular cytotoxicity irrespective of culture medium used.

Conclusions

Somatostatin secretion is greatly facilitated by cell-to-cell interactions and E-cadherin expression. Cellular environment and extracellular glucose also significantly influence the function of delta cells.     

Aberrant expressions of leptin and adiponectin receptor isoforms in chronic myeloid leukemia patients

Background

Leptin and adiponectin receptors mediate the role of leptin in stimulating the growth of leukemic cells and the protective function of adiponectin undertaken in several malignancies such as leukemia. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the expression of leptin and adiponectin receptors in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) pathogenesis.

Methods

The expression of leptin receptor isoforms, OB-Rt, OB-Ra, and OB-Rb, and the expression of adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, were measured as mRNA levels in two CML cell lines (K562 and Meg-01) and 20 CML patients and 24 healthy controls by using RT-PCR.

Results

OB-Rt and OB-Ra isoforms expression of the leptin receptors were found to be significantly lower in Meg-01 cell lines than K562 cells. All leptin receptors were downregulated in CML patients and more particularly OB-Rb level was found to be undetectably low in normal PBMC as well as in CML patients. AdipoR1 expression level was higher in Meg-01 than in K562, whereas AdipoR2 level was found to be unchanged in both cell lines. Interestingly, while AdipoR1 expression increased in CML patients, AdipoR2 decreased. Moreover, imatinib therapy did not affect both leptin and adiponectin isoform expressions.

Conclusion

While the decrease in leptin receptor levels in CML patients was confirmed, the increase in AdipoR1 levels and relevant decrease in AdipoR2 levels depicted their possible involvement in CML pathogenesis. This suggests different functions of adiponectin receptors in CML development.     

Serum miR-146a and miR-223 as potential new biomarkers for sepsis

Objective

Current biomarkers cannot completely distinguish sepsis from systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by other non-infectious diseases. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for several diseases, but their correlation with sepsis is not totally clarified.

Methods

Seven miRNAs related to inflammation or infection were included in the present study. Serum miRNA expression was investigated in 50 patients diagnosed with sepsis, 30 patients with SIRS and 20 healthy controls to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value. Expression levels of serum miRNAs were determined by quantitative PCR using the Qiagen miScript system. Serum CRP and IL-6 levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum miR-146a and miR-223 were significantly reduced in septic patients compared with SIRS patients and healthy controls. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of miR-146a, miR-223 and IL-6 were 0.858, 0.804 and 0.785, respectively.

Conclusion

Serum miR-146a and miR-223 might serve as new biomarkers for sepsis with high specificity and sensitivity. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00862290.)     

Study of the insulin signaling pathways in the regulation of ACAT1 expression in cultured macrophages

Objective

To determine the signaling pathways and components involved in insulin-mediated regulation of Acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase1 (ACAT1).

Methods

THP-1 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and were induced into macrophages in the presence of 160 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Before insulin was added in, macrophages were preincubated with the inhibitors of the insulin signaling pathway, including wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 K) inhibitor; PD98059, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor; SB203580, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor; SP600125, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor and U73122, phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ) inhibitor. ACAT1 mRNA and protein expression level in macrophages were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.

Results

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting demonstrated that PD98059, SB203580 or SP600125 down-regulated the expression of ACAT1 in a dose-dependent manner. However, no obvious alteration was found in wortmannin and U73122 groups.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the ERK, p38MAPK and JNK signaling pathways may be involved in insulin-mediated regulation of ACAT1, but no PI3K and PLC-γ signaling pathways were involved in the present study.